Whether you are a patient or visitor at West Hills Hospital & Medical center, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Definition

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an
anxiety disorder
that develops after a traumatic event. PTSD has also been called "shell shock" or "battle fatigue."

Causes

The exact cause of PTSD is unknown. PTSD is triggered by exposure to a traumatic event. Situations in which a person feels intense fear, helplessness, or horror are considered traumatic. PTSD has been reported in people who experienced:

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. This may be done by using a structured interview and/or a questionnaire. You will also likely be given a psychological assessment. PTSD will be diagnosed if you have:

Symptoms of PTSD, which have lasted for more than one month

Both emotional distress and disturbed functioning (eg, problems at school, work, or home) due to the symptoms

PTSD is categorized according to when symptoms occur and how long they last. There are three types of PTSD:

Acute—symptoms last between 1-3 months after the event

Chronic—symptoms last more than 3 months after the event

Delayed onset—symptoms do not appear until at least 6 months after the event

Treatment

There are many treatments available to help you. Treatment will not only focus on treating PTSD, but will also focus on any other conditions you may have, such as depression, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse.

Exposure Therapy

In exposure therapy, the therapist brings back the imagery of the event in a safe place. You are gradually guided through a visualization. Re-experiencing the trauma in a controlled environment can help you let go of fear and gain control over anxiety.

Group Therapy

Meeting in a
group
with other survivors of trauma can be an effective and powerful form of therapy for people with PTSD.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

During this type of therapy, you are asked to talk about the traumatic event, including your memories, feelings, and sensations. While talking, the therapist has you move your eyes side-to-side following hand movements. EMDR combines techniques from both CBT and exposure therapy. The goal is to allow the mind to process the trauma and to develop more positive beliefs about yourself.

Medication

Medicine may help with anxiety, depression, and
insomnia
. Usually, antidepressants known as
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) are prescribed.

Your doctor may try these or other psychiatric mediations to help control your symptoms.

Prevention

The events that trigger PTSD cannot be predicted or prevented. But there are some factors that might prevent PTSD from developing after a traumatic event, such as:

Working with a cognitive-behavioral therapist

Having a strong network of social support

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Antidepressant use in children, adolescents, and adults. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273.
Updated August 12, 2010. Accessed November 11, 2014.